CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

PALM COAST, Fla. - The University of Houston Cougars became the first team to win back-to-back American Athletic Conference Women's Golf Championships and did so in impressive fashion, winning with the largest margin of victory in league history. Houston was paced by individual champion, senior Leonie Harm, who set a tournament record with a three-round 8-under, 208.

Houston took The Conservatory Course at Hammock Beach Resorts by storm and upped its team performance each day. The Cougars took three strokes off their total on day two before four more on day three with an 8-under 280; the second-lowest round in championship history. UH finished with a three-round 13-under, 851 which was 30 strokes ahead of the field.



Harm came out strong on day one and never let up. She led after round one, was tied for the lead on day two and won by two strokes. She finished par or better in each round and saved her best for last with a 5-under 67 which tied for the lowest round of the tournament.

Houston's senior was able to hold off a strong challenge from UCF freshman Elizabeth Moon as the duo was paired together in each round. The first-year golfer was under par in every round and also saved her best for last with a 3-under 69.



Moon paced UCF (17-over, 881) to a runner-up finish as the Knights posted a third-round 290 to hold off a late charge by Memphis (21-over, 885). UCF has finished in the top two in five of the six American Athletic Conference women's golf championships.

ECU's Dorthea Forbrigd, who was last season's championship runner-up, matched Harm's third round 67 on Tuesday and charged up to sole possession of third in the standings. ECU (24-over, 888) finished fourth overall and was one of three teams under 300 in each round.

For the tournament, Houston boasted four of the top eight scorers.